New Typhoon in historic colours

Nice scheme, although they didn’t (yet!) include his little ‘Red Devil’ emblem on port side. And, being pedantic (although it truly doesn’t matter!) it should be A-GN on the statboard side. 🙂

And shouldn’t the fuselage roundels appear in line when viewed from the top?

Nice scheme, although they didn’t (yet!) include his little ‘Red Devil’ emblem on port side. And, being pedantic (although it truly doesn’t matter!) it should be A-GN on the statboard side. 🙂

Canopener – check your private messages

I thought they’d go with something pretty half hearted like they did with last years invasion stripes, but this looks fantastic. 🙂

Reminds me of the special scheme one of the retiring Harriers wore.

Well said, I couldn’t agree more, I think it looks great & a very fitting tribute to Nicholson.
Regards, Rich.

Canopener, I don’t need any lectures on the subject, thanks very much. I’m perfectly aware of all the points you mention. As is so often the case with (some) forum users, you don’t seem to have actually read what has been written. I’m not quite sure what Jamie Hunter has to do with any of this either, and I don’t know what this “slagging off ship jockeys” means either… nor do I want to know. It all sounds like childish gossip. Back to the subject perhaps?

James Nicolson VC DFC

And the markings and colours decided on for standard schemes of RAF aircraft is decided by the “Camouflage Working Group”, civil servants and RAF surface finish experts. The standard is set for each type depending on role. ALL Ceremonial schemes must be applied up to and authorised by C in C Air Command if different from the set standard.. and cleared by the CWG as well (that does tend to be a rubber stamp if the boss says OK). Rules are tight because of public expense considerations mean unless a Squadron can stump up the cash to do the scheme and return it to standard at the end of the scheme period (it will not be authorised forever), it is unlikely to be done. Considerations as a complete aircraft re weigh are also to be considered in the design of such schemes (more cost), that fins / spine paints avoid. Been there, done that, got the Jamie Hunter A to A shot of it (who doesn’t slag off photo ship jockeys like someone you know 904). This Tiffie is celebrating 75 years since the BofB, so considerations have been rightly more relaxed on scope of the work required and expense to the public purse IMHO.

WH904.. The Typhoon is in the colour scheme of the Hurricane of Eric Nicolson VC DFC.. Get your facts right for a start. 😉

Why ? The aircraft are designed to be used for a purpose! Where is this time and money wasting idea coming from ?

But slightly drifting a little…

True, but it’s an interesting subject. At least the “Spitphoon” illustrates a willingness to depart from the tedious grey/low-viz markings in a pretty drastic way, albeit on just one aircraft. But as I said before, perhaps it will help to develop a less rigid attitude towards colour schemes and markings in general. Not that I’m holding my breath 😉

Do you know if that was a Rush job then ? 😀

Very good. :applause:

As I forgot to mention it the first time, I think the Typhoon looks great in that scheme.

I wonder how effective that scheme would be today in certain theatres – minus the roundels. Low level CAS somewhere hot and dusty maybe?

Well the Typhoons may be a little bit orrible carrying those roundels and fin flashes. But slightly drifting a little….

Never fear, the all singing all dancing pretender for the Tornados throne has its done in fantastic shade of…… Grey

Only the US Navy has painted any colour on the first CAG bird, from memory. So I suspect the 617 and 809 Sqn markings will be even more dull

Yuck

Anyway back to real aeroplanes, the 9 Sqn 100 years Tornado has a big bat on it and 18 27 presumably 31 and 41 will be following with 100 years paint jobs

Tim S

Wings, it depends how one looks at things I guess. Obviously, a Typhoon is a fighting machine, therefore fancy paint schemes are largely irrelevant. But given that this particular Typhoon has been painted, I think we’re allowed a little license to discuss aesthetics? Like it or not, appearance is taken into account, hence the current official stipulations covering the precise size and position of the unit insignia on the Typhoon fuselages and tails. There are no reasons for this other than personal taste – somebody at Whitehall evidently thinks Typhoons look “nice” with standardised markings within fixed shapes. I know for certain that a lot of people think the result is a rather depressing uniformity which is completely at odds with the flamboyant markings that were traditionally applied to the RAF’s fighting machines many decades ago. My comments regarding the national insignia reflect a question that has been floating around for years – what is the point of the ridiculous pink/lilac roundel and fin flash? It was originally employed ostensibly as part of “low visibility camouflage”, although it was of course simply a fashion trend taken from the US Navy (courtesy of Mr Ferris and his Phantom paint schemes). In reality, the pink/lilac insignia is no less visible than the more common red/blue variety. The comical aspect of this is that the standard British roundel (red, white and blue) was dropped because of the perceived “high visibility” of the white portion. But the Typhoons all wear unit insigina that feature fully opaque colours – including white. So the pink/lilac insignia was pointless. Of course, the other issue is whether the RAF/ MoD seriously think that the RAF’s Typhoons are likely to get into a close-in dogfight with any aggressor, and reach a stage where the visibility of the Typhoon is such an issue that the paint colours applied to it make any difference. I mean, seriously? The sad truth of this issue is that nobody has actually thought-through the question of why the Typhoons are painted as they are. It’s nothing new though – the RAF’s aircraft paint schemes and markings have always been a thorny subject ever since 1918! 🙂

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Hi All,
Jeepman,
What an excellent idea that was 10/10 looks lovely I think. :applause:
Meddle,
Do you know if that was a Rush job then ? 😀

Geoff.

A scheme like this doesn’t get far in execution without approval from The top…it’s a lot safer and career protecting to keep the costs down with a limited paint job. So ‘Bravo’ to everyonei involved with this repaint.

spoil the appearance of a fine fighting machine.

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Isn’t this a contradiction wh904?

It’s a fighting machine, not a blank canvas for ‘flamboyant’ styles.

I don’t think the paint schemes (other than commemorative designs) are put together to please modellers and enthusiasts.

The aircraft arn’t toys.

‘spoil the appearance of a fine fighting machine’ -are you talking about the Typhoon?

Personally, I think it’s perhaps not the most tasteful of colour schemes, even though I appreciate the reasons for it. However, I’m pleased to see it, not least because it represents a drift away from the many “fancy tail” colour schemes that have adorned RAF Typhoons. Like it or not, it is at least a complete repaint and that makes a welcome change! I hope that it might also eventually encourage a little individuality amongst the Typhoon units, so that the regimented unit markings are slowly replaced by more flamboyant style.

I also wonder how much longer we will persist with the ghastly pink/lilac low-visibility national insignia? It amazes me that they have survived so long when they are so utterly pointless, contrasting with the full-colour unit markings that are applied to the same machines. I did hope that the end was in sight when the Tornado F3 started to appear in a darker grey paint scheme with red/blue insignia, but it wasn’t to be. Let’s hope the latest “Fancy ‘Phoon” helps to eventually bury these miserable markings that achieve nothing (they were only applied as part of a fashion trend in the first place) and spoil the appearance of a fine fighting machine.

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With the Geddy Lee CF-18 taking up the rear…